Col Cabrera received his commission in 2000 from the University of Delaware Reserve Officer Training program. He served multiple assignments as a Combat Rescue Officer, participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Unified Protector, New Dawn, and other contingency and humanitarian relief efforts. Col Cabrera commanded the 57th Rescue Squadron, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, U.K., as well as, expeditionary rescue squadrons in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan and Camp Lemonier, Djibouti.
Prior to his current assignment, Colonel Cabrera served the Commander, 563d Rescue Group at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, and was responsible for the readiness of 650 personnel and seven operational squadrons.
EDUCATION
- 2000 Bachelor of Science, Aviation Management, Wilmington University, DE. 2006 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
- 2008 Master of Science, International Relations, Troy State University, Ala.
- 2014 Distinguished Graduate, Master of Science, Operational Art, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
- 2018 Distinguished Graduate, Master of Science, National Security Strategy, Eisenhower School of National Resource Strategy, Ft. Lesly J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
ASSIGNMENTS
1.July 2000 – Sept 2002, Assist. Regional Director of Admissions, AFROTC Northeast, NJ
2.Sept 2002– Sept 2004 Student, Combat Rescue Officer, 342d Training Squadron, Kirtland AFB, NM
3.Sep 2004 – Aug 2006, Flight Commander, 38th Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, GA
4.Aug 2006 –May 2007, Combat Rescue Program Element Monitor, HQ ACC, Langley AFB, VA
5.May 2007 – July 2009, Chief Guardian Angel Weapons System Team, HQ ACC, Langley AFB, VA
6.July 2009 – Aug 2013, Operations Officer, 58th Rescue Squadron, Nellis AFB, NV
7.Aug 2013 – Jul 2014, Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL
8.July 2014 – May 2015, Joint Personnel Recovery Agency Liaison to USSOCOM, MacDill AFB, FL
9.May 2015 – June 2018, Commander, 57th Rescue Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, England
10.June 2018 – May 2019, Student, Eisenhower School of National Resource Strategy, Ft. McNair, D.C.
11.May 2019 – May 2020, Air Force Special Warfare Division Chief, HQ AF, Pentagon, VA
12.May 2020 – Aug 2021, Chief Commander’s Action Group, USAFE-AFAFRICA, Ramstein AB, GE
13.Aug 2021 – Jun 2022, Deputy Chief of Staff, USAFE-AFAFRICA, Ramstein AB, GE
14.Jun 2022 – Jun 2024, Commander, 563d Rescue Group, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
15.Jul 2024 – Present, Deputy Director, NATO Centre of Excellence Defense Against Terrorism, Ankara, Türkiye.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
- Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster
- Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf cluster
- Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters
- Aerial Achievement Medal
- Joint Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
- Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf Clusters
- Air Force Achievement Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant : 18 June 2000
First Lieutenant : 18 June 2002
Captain : 18 June 2004
Major : 1 May 2010
Lieutenant Colonel : 1 Sept 2015
Colonel : 1 May 2021